Catalan Coast: Costa Brava & Girona★★
Catalonia offers much more than Barcelona. The Costa Brava (from Blanes to the French border) is one of the most beautiful coastal stretches of the Mediterranean — rugged cliffs, hidden coves with crystal-clear water, pine forests reaching the sea. And the medieval Girona inland is one of Spain's most underrated cities.
Costa Brava — Highlights ★★★
- Tossa de Mar — Picture-perfect coastal town with a medieval castle complex (Vila Vella) right by the sea. The main beach is crowded in summer, but the coves north of it (Cala Pola, Cala Giverola) are dreamy. 1h 15 min from Barcelona by bus.
- Calella de Palafrugell — Whitewashed fishing village with boats on the beach and coastal hiking trails (Camí de Ronda) to secluded coves. More authentic than many other places. Best paella on the coast at Restaurant La Blanca.
- Cadaqués — The "jewel of the Costa Brava," where Salvador Dalí lived and painted. White houses, olive groves, a windswept peninsula at Cap de Creus. Dalí's house in Portlligat (reservation required, 14 €) is a surreal experience. 2.5h from Barcelona.
- Camí de Ronda — The historic coastal hiking trail connects coves and villages along the entire Costa Brava. Most beautiful section: Calella de Palafrugell → Llafranc → Tamariu (2–3h, easy).
Girona ★★★
Only 38 minutes by high-speed train (AVE) from Barcelona, Girona is a time travel: the colorful houses on the Onyar River (the postcard motif), Spain's best-preserved Jewish quarter (Call), the monumental cathedral with the widest Gothic nave in the world (23 m!), and cobblestone streets full of charm.
Girona is also a gourmet city: El Celler de Can Roca (3 Michelin stars, repeatedly the best restaurant in the world) is based here. Reservation months in advance. More accessible: Rocambolesc (ice cream shop by the Roca brothers, from 3.50 €) and Normal (creative tapas, 4–12 €).
Tip for a day trip: Explore Girona in the morning, head to the Costa Brava in the afternoon (Bus Girona → Calella de Palafrugell 1h, 6 €), return to Barcelona in the evening.
💡 Tipp
The Costa Brava is best explored by rental car — public buses run infrequently and take a long time. If without a car: Tossa de Mar is easiest to reach by direct bus from Barcelona. The bays are most beautiful in June and September — warm enough for swimming, but without the high summer crowds.